Human rights writers back Rivers gov on judicial inquiry against ‘political terrorists’

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has praised Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his decisive move in establishing a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the violence, arson, and destruction of public property that followed the local government elections in the state.

HURIWA described inquiry as one of the Governor’s most commendable actions, given the need for justice and accountability in the face of such serious unrest.

In a media statement, by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA lauded the commission as a crucial step toward identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators, whom it referred to as “political terrorists.”

The Governor had inaugurated a seven-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe the violence that led to the burning of several local government council headquarters in Rivers State.

“This is a well-timed intervention aimed at uncovering the root causes of the unrest and ensuring those responsible are held accountable,” the statement read.

HURIWA stressed that the individuals behind the violence are not mere vandals but political terrorists determined to destabilize the state’s democratic institutions.

“Those who burned local government secretariats to disrupt the election process and undermine democracy are political terrorists by definition,” the group asserted.

While commending that the Commission of Inquiry, which Justice Ibiwengi Roseline Minakiri chairs, includes prominent individuals like Mrs. Inyingi Brown, who serves as the secretary, and Uzor Ikenga, acting as counsel, HURIWA stressed the importance of this commission in delivering justice.

The human rights group called on security forces to ensure that any individual, regardless of political stature, is made to appear before the commission if summoned. “If any person, no matter how powerful or influential, is implicated in this plot to destabilize Rivers State, the security agencies must act swiftly to arrest and present them before the commission. If found guilty after lawful proceedings, they should be prosecuted,” HURIWA stated.

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HURIWA also expressed dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s response to the situation, describing his remarks as lacking statesmanship.

In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President had urged political leaders in Rivers State to settle their disputes in court while also directing the police to ensure the protection of public facilities. However, HURIWA criticized the President for failing to identify those responsible for the violence explicitly and instead attempting to shift the narrative onto Governor Fubara.

The human rights group pointed out that it is not within the President’s purview to direct the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to carry out his constitutional duties, especially after a failure of security management has already occurred.

“It is not the President’s job to tell the IGP to ensure peace and order at the local government offices. That is the constitutional responsibility of the police, and the IGP should not need a reminder to fulfill that role,” HURIWA stated.

Furthermore, HURIWA criticized IGP Kayode Egbetokun for previously refusing to provide security during the Rivers local government elections, thus making him a partisan player in the crisis.

The group argued that the IGP’s refusal to maintain neutrality compromised his role as the nation’s top police officer, and as such, President Tinubu should have dismissed him. “By allowing IGP Egbetokun to remain in office after he failed to secure the elections and by condoning his partiality in this crisis, the President is effectively endorsing impunity and lawlessness,” HURIWA remarked.

In light of the IGP’s actions, HURIWA issued a seven-working-day ultimatum to arrest and prosecute the individuals responsible for the violence and arson in Rivers State.

The group emphasized that these individuals, many of whom were captured on video, must be apprehended and held accountable. “The terrorists who set local councils on fire are identified on video. If the IGP fails to arrest them within seven working days, HURIWA will initiate an international campaign urging European countries and the United States to impose visa bans on him. We will work to ensure that any visas he holds are revoked,” HURIWA warned.

The group stressed that while it is committed to achieving justice within Nigeria, it will not hesitate to seek international redress if the situation is not addressed swiftly. “We are prepared to launch a global advocacy campaign against IGP Egbetokun unless he fulfills his constitutional duty and arrests these criminals,” HURIWA concluded.

In closing, HURIWA reaffirmed its support for Governor Fubara’s actions, stating that the judicial commission of inquiry is an essential step toward restoring peace and preventing Rivers State from becoming a theater of lawlessness. The group called on all stakeholders, including security forces, political leaders, and the judiciary, to act responsibly in addressing the issue. “This is a defining moment for the rule of law in Rivers State. Those responsible for this chaos must face justice, and we commend the Governor for his bold and timely action in establishing this inquiry,” HURIWA said.

The group also reiterated its readiness to hold the IGP and other law enforcement agencies accountable, insisting that no one is above the law, and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant in safeguarding democracy in Rivers State.

Human rights writers back Rivers gov on judicial inquiry against ‘political terrorists’

Military lacks weapons to end banditry, terrorism — Ndume

Former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, has declared that the Nigerian military lacks the superior weapons to end terrorism and banditry.

He also dismissed reports circulating on social media that his convoy was ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

Ndume, who is representing Southern Borno and Gwoza senatorial district in the Senate, spoke at his Maiduguri home after returning from a condolence visit to families of those recently killed by terrorists in Ngoshe, Kirawa, Ashigashiya, and other communities in the Gwoza Local Government Area.

He said, “On a serious note, our military forces and the state government under the leadership of Governor Babagana Zulum are doing well in tackling issues related to Boko Haram killings.

“But both have limitations. For instance, the Federal Government should equip our military forces, and arm and motivate them. I also spoke with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and he assured me that they will reinforce additional forces in Gwoza to enable farmers to harvest their hard-earned crops.

“The military is determined and committed to ending Boko Haram’s madness, but this cannot be possible if they are not fully equipped, armed, trained, and motivated.”

According to him, the Kirawa road ambush targeted a Cameroonian Bureau De Change/businessman (Alhaji Kadi), who was killed alongside an unidentified woman, while others sustaining injuries.

Ndume said, “As Senator representing Southern Borno and Gwoza inclusive, I had planned earlier to go to Ngoshe and Kirawa for condolence.

“I could only go to Ngoshe because the road to Kirawa was not accessible then. So, when we left yesterday, as I told you, the Theatre Commander and the GOC 7 Division directed the Brigade Commander in Gwoza, who led the es@cort team personally.

“It has been a long time since I had such a heavy military escort from Maiduguri to Ngoshe. As we were going to Ngoshe, we got to a village called Wizza, where there is a junction to Kirawa. “Unfortunately or fortunately, we received information that the Cameroonian soldiers in Kirawa were ambushed by terrorists, but the target was not me, rather the person they killed, including an unidentified woman. Although I was told that there were other passengers who were victims of the ambush, as Tuesday was a market day in Kirawa.

“I strongly suspect that some individuals are colluding with Boko Haram, passing information to the terrorists. However, the Nigerian Army sent a reinforcement team that cleared the entire area, despite the detonated bombs planted by the terrorists damaging two military patrol vehicles.”

JUST-IN: Court throws out MAN suit against electricity tariff hike

A Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) challenging the Band A electricity tariff review.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced on Thursday that the judgment was delivered on Monday.

The court considered all arguments and ruled that MAN’s suit was premature and an abuse of the court process, disregarding Section 51 of the Electricity Act 2023.

“The court also held that MAN’s case disclosed no reasonable cause of action as it had not exhausted the dispute resolution mechanism.”

“It thus held that the suit was not instituted with due process of law, and consequently struck out the case,” the NERC stated.

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MAN had contested the minor electricity tariff review by NERC and filed a lawsuit at the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court.

The manufacturers sought four reliefs, including that due process for the review was not fulfilled before AEDC applied to NERC on July 31, 2023.

MAN argued that regulatory requirements were not met before NERC issued the April 3, 2024, and May 6, 2024, Supplementary Orders.

They also claimed that targeting only Band “A” feeders with the tariff increase was discriminatory.

MAN emphasized that defendants must follow administrative procedures for tariff reviews before implementing the Supplementary Orders.

NERC countered that MAN’s suit was prematurely filed and abused court processes.

Band A customers, who receive at least 20 hours of daily electricity supply, face tripled tariffs at N209.50 per kilowatt-hour, negatively impacting production costs.

JUST-IN: Court throws out MAN suit against electricity tariff hike